First Nations health at heart of UNICEF’s new young ambassador Business awards open Youthful advocate

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Cairns North

| Nick Dalton

FIRST Nations social justice will be the focus for new UNICEF Australia young ambassador Cyril Sajio.

The 22-year-old fourth-year medical student is one of nine young ambassadors to join UNICEF’s 18-month program for aspiring young advocates from around the nation.

Mr Sajio has had a nomadic childhood. He spent his early years in India and Egypt, before moving to Australia where he has lived in five states. He currently calls Far North Queensland home and in his role as a young ambassador he will focus on First Nations social justice.

“While studying medicine, I have been living in parts of regional Queensland with high Indigenous populations,” Mr Sajio said.

“In this time and during my degree placements, I have seen the inequities that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to face,” he said.

“I have noted the lack of representation of First Nations people in the healthcare system and the impact this has on First Nations people’s health outcomes.

“I want to use my time as a UNICEF Australia young ambassador to engage more young people in conversations about global health, rural and remote health outcomes and the barriers that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience in accessing key social services.

“The protection and empowerment of children is one of the most important investments that society can make and I believe that organisations like UNICEF Australia play a critical role in ensuring that investment is made.”

During the program, the young ambassadors will be trained in leadership, advocacy, communication, and how to engage meaningfully with children and young people as part of a consultation process.

UNICEF Australia chief executive officer Tony Stuart said the organisation had a strong belief that the views of young people must be included in decision-making processes on issues that impact them.

“The purpose of UNICEF Australia’s young ambassador program is at the heart of everything we do – to hear from a wide range of young people and provide an avenue for them to be heard by decision makers,” he said.

“We know the applicants already have a strong interest in digital wellbeing, climate change and First Nations social justice and over the next 18 months they will hear from other young people of varying backgrounds from around Australia on these topics.”

l CAIRNS REGION

NOMINATIONS are now open for the 2023 Cairns Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards and local businesses are encouraged to apply.

The awards recognise the outstanding achievements of businesses in the region, acknowledging them for their hard work, exceptional business acumen and outstanding contributions to the local community.

With 10 categories open for nomination, ranging from people management to customer service, sustainability and environment to marketing and communications, there is something for everyone, regardless of business size, industry or structure.

“Whilst winning is the ultimate goal of all entrants, participating in the awards can be a very beneficial process for all businesses,” said Cairns Chamber of Commerce chief executive Patricia O’Neill. “It is an excellent opportunity to stop, reflect on how far you’ve come, celebrate your wins and plan for future growth,” she said.

Finalists will be announced on Thursday, October 5 at Crystalbrook Flynn’s Whiskey and Wine Bar followed by the winners at a gala ball on Friday, October 20 at the Cairns Convention Centre. Tickets will be limited to 450.

Visit: www.cairnschamber.com.au/ BEXAwards

WANT TO BE HEARD?

Aussies are in a lot of pain

AUSTRALIANS are hurting.

The very basics for a civilised society is the right to a home, food, education, health and aged care.

Free speech was won at great sacrifice by our war heroes, yet even that is being taken away from us.

Hundreds of people are living on the streets, in cars or couch surfing.

Perhaps we should send them all to Canberra since our government obviously don’t see it as a problem, otherwise they wouldn’t import another million people.

Many can’t afford enough food. Others can’t afford to switch on a heater or an airconditioner because of the enormous cost of electricity.

People often have to wait for years to receive surgery, even children.

In the meantime, their health deteriorates often leaving them with permanent damage.

An example of this is ear grommets for children with glue ear.

My own daughter was left in a wheelchair for over two years waiting for spinal surgery on her broken neck and now lives with permanent chronic pain.

Elderly people are left on waiting lists for home care or residential care. If they survive long enough to get into residential care we can see from investigations what substandard care and food they are subjected too.

All these privileges are the very basics of a humane society. Yet our government has failed on all counts.

Instead, they blame previous governments or world problems to cover up their own incompetence and bad planning. We had a worldwide pandemic, yet it did not occur to our so-called leaders to upgrade and improve our hospitals.

We have a housing crisis, and their plan is to import another million migrants. Where will they be living? Will they get accommodation while Aussies continue to live on the streets?

Not to mention the extra competition for housing that will see prices and rents soar even further.

Suzy Malkinson, Cairns

Targa is not what it should be

AS a visitor to Cairns, from Tasmania, I agree that the current concept of Targa has got away from the original planned event.

Targa started more as a rally with a plate being awarded for consistent driving of the state’s roads over a number of days.

Then, like most events, the big money came into play and allowed it to become a speed event for the boys who could afford expensive toys.

I’m not aware of the situation with Targa Great Barrier Reef but in Tasmania we have experienced a number of deaths in this event.

Phil Brooke, Hobart

Editor’s note: There have been no fatalities during the Targa Great Barrier Reef.

Chamber’s mental health initiative

POOR mental health costs Australian businesses $10.9 billion every year in absenteeism, reduced productivity and compensation claims.